Henry Saruya

Henry Saruya, 85, of Colonia died Nov. 6, 2012. Born in New York City and raised in Mt. Vernon, NY, he lived in Israel, Jersey City, Bayonne, and Roselle before moving to Colonia 53 years ago.

In his high school years Mr. Saruya was instrumental in forming a Zionist group for fellow high schoolers and subsequently was active in IZFA (Intercollegiate Zionist Federation of America) while in university.

After high school graduation he served in the U.S. Army during the post-World War II period with his unit, stationed most of the time in northern Italy. Upon finishing his service, he studied at New York University and received his degree in electrical engineering. He subsequently made aliya to Israel as part of an IZFA group and settled in the North on Kibbutz Yiftach, where he lived for one-and-a-half years.

Upon returning to the United States, he was employed as an electrical engineer at Western Electric, later known as AT&T Technologies and then Lucent Technologies.

After returning from Israel he continued his ties with anything that had to do with the welfare of the country. He made his wife a life member of Hadassah, later becoming an associate and at one point serving as publicity chair of the Colonia chapter.

He was a stalwart supporter of the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County from its inception. He also served on the board of Temple Beth Am of Colonia as financial secretary, religious chairman, and publicity chair. He continued his membership of Ohev Shalom, Colonia, and later Neve Shalom, Metuchen.

He served as president of the NJ Paraplegic Association and was a strong advocate of accessibility of public places and buildings.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Miriam; his son, David; and two grandchildren.

Services were held Nov. 8 with arrangements by Goldstein Funeral Chapel, Edison.